Is the Apple Macchiato at Starbucks Vegan?

November 9, 2025 •

2 min read

Recent Starbucks menu updates make the Apple Crisp Oatmilk Macchiato vegan as-is. The original version used dairy milk, but the seasonal drink is now more accessible for those on a plant-based diet.

Quick Summary

Starbucks' Apple Crisp Oatmilk Macchiato is a vegan offering with oat milk and dairy-free syrups. Customers can enjoy the fall favorite without changes. Its plant-based components make it a reliable vegan choice.

Key Points

Standard Vegan Offering: The Apple Crisp Oatmilk Macchiato is the first seasonal macchiato from Starbucks designed to be vegan by default.
Key Vegan Ingredients: Its components, including oat milk, blonde espresso, apple brown sugar syrup, and spiced apple drizzle, are all plant-based.
No Modifications Needed: Unlike previous versions or other seasonal drinks like the US Pumpkin Spice Latte, no substitutions are needed to ensure its vegan status.
Compare with Caution: Other macchiatos or drizzles, such as the classic Caramel Macchiato, still contain dairy and require careful ordering.
Always Confirm: While the Apple Crisp Oatmilk Macchiato is safe, it is always wise to confirm ingredients with a barista for any other customized or seasonal drinks, especially those with toppings.

The Vegan-Friendly Shift at Starbucks

Starbucks has increased its plant-based options, with the Apple Crisp Macchiato being an example of this change. The original version of the Apple Crisp Macchiato used dairy milk, but the current seasonal offering, the Apple Crisp Oatmilk Macchiato, uses oat milk as the default. This makes it a ready-to-order vegan macchiato.

Deconstructing the Vegan Ingredients

The Apple Crisp Oatmilk Macchiato includes oat milk, espresso, Apple Brown Sugar Syrup, and Spiced Apple Drizzle. The oat milk is plant-based, while the espresso is naturally vegan. Both the Apple Brown Sugar Syrup and the Spiced Apple Drizzle are made with vegan ingredients.

Comparison: Vegan vs. Non-Vegan Starbucks Fall Drinks

The Apple Crisp Oatmilk Macchiato is vegan with no modifications needed.


Drink	Milk Base	Syrups	Toppings	Vegan-Friendly?	Modifications Needed
Apple Crisp Oatmilk Macchiato	Oat milk (default)	Apple Brown Sugar Syrup, Spiced Apple Drizzle	None (cinnamon is naturally vegan)	Yes	None
Pumpkin Spice Latte (PSL)	Dairy Milk (default)	Pumpkin Spice Sauce (contains condensed milk in the US)	Whipped cream (dairy)	No	Cannot be made vegan in the US; can be made vegan in some international markets.
Caramel Macchiato	Dairy Milk (default)	Vanilla Syrup, Caramel Drizzle (contains dairy)	None	No	Requires non-dairy milk and requesting no caramel drizzle.
Cinnamon Dolce Latte	Dairy Milk (default)	Cinnamon Dolce Syrup	Whipped cream (dairy), Cinnamon Dolce topping	Conditional	Requires non-dairy milk and requesting no whipped cream. The syrup itself is vegan.

Navigating the Menu for Other Vegan Options

While the Apple Crisp Oatmilk Macchiato is a simple vegan option, other seasonal drinks may require modifications. Starbucks offers dairy-free alternatives for many drinks. It is advisable to confirm ingredients, especially for toppings or drizzles, which might contain dairy.

Best Practices for Ordering Vegan at Starbucks

When ordering, specify non-dairy milk and clarify you want the drink vegan. Ask about toppings, as some may not be vegan. The Starbucks app can help with customizing milk and removing non-vegan items. Other vegan options include Americanos, iced coffee, or refreshers.

Conclusion

The Apple Crisp Oatmilk Macchiato is a vegan seasonal drink at Starbucks, simplifying ordering for plant-based customers. While some other seasonal items may require more attention, this offering shows Starbucks is moving towards a more inclusive menu. For further details, please refer to the {Link: Vive website https://www.vive.org.vn/en/news/environment/starbucks-launches-a-completely-vegan-fall-drink}.

Frequently Asked Questions

The official name of the vegan-friendly apple macchiato is the Apple Crisp Oatmilk Macchiato, which features oat milk as its standard milk base.

Yes, both the Apple Brown Sugar Syrup and the Spiced Apple Drizzle used in the Apple Crisp Oatmilk Macchiato are vegan and do not contain any animal-derived ingredients.

In the United States, the Pumpkin Spice Latte sauce contains condensed milk and cannot be made vegan. In some international markets, however, a vegan version is available with a different sauce.

The Apple Crisp Oatmilk Macchiato is vegan by default and is made with oat milk. However, it is always a good idea to confirm with your barista when ordering.

No, not all seasonal drinks are vegan. For example, the Pumpkin Spice Latte in the US is not vegan. You should check the ingredients of each seasonal offering or ask your barista.

The best way to customize a vegan order is to use the Starbucks app, which allows you to specify non-dairy milk and remove any non-vegan components, such as whipped cream or caramel drizzle.

Yes, Starbucks also offers other non-dairy milk alternatives, including almond, soy, and coconut milk, which can be substituted in many of their beverages.